As with all highly-touristic cities, Barcelona’s cuisine is basically hit-or-miss. Some places may provide you with the best Valencian dishes while others may offer food that may not pass your astute taste. However, there are places in Barcelona where you can get good food at reasonable prizes. And don’t forget the various world cuisines that you can sample from the best restaurants in Barcelona. Here are some of the city’s many restaurants that you may find interesting to visit.

Chino Dong Lin – A Chinese restaurant situated far from Barcelona’s tourist center, making their dishes costing a fraction of those served at expensive tourist restaurants. To get there, take the Metro’s Green Line-L3 route to Poble Sec station, exit to Manso, then take a few-minute walk to Avinguda Paral-lel.

Nagano – A little-known Japanese restaurant along Avinguda Paral-lel serves excellent sushi, with close-to-authentic Oriental interiors. You could even book the restaurant in advanced to reserve one of their tatami rooms so you could fully appreciate Japanese cuisine while sitting down on the floor. To get there, take a Metro Green Line to Paral-lel station.

Los Caracoles – This seafood restaurant literally means “The Snails,” which is their specialty. However, you can order dishes from other roasted meats. Cooks can be seen preparing dishes as you enter the main door. Being is one of the most popular restaurants in Barcelona, and having the best dishes as well, expect an overflowing crowd and the price that is a little steep. Also, you might get turned off by some of the waiter’s forward nature. To get there, take the Metro’s Green Line-L3 to Drassanes station, then take a walk to Carrer Escudellers (near La Rambla).

Can Culleretes – The oldest restaurant in Barcelona (the second oldest in Spain) serves traditional Catalan food. It surely lives up to the positive reviews given by food critics with exquisite dishes, fast (but not necessarily polite) service, and reasonable pricing. Located in Barri Gottic, you need to take the Metro’s Green Line-L3 to Liceo station and walk towards Carrer Quintana to get there.

Euskal Etxea – A stylish Basque house in the old town, a few minute walk from Picasso Museum. The bar serves tapas and its Basque counterpart called pinchos, all made from a variety of ingredients so expect a festival of flavors on each bite. Unfortunately, this restaurant does not serve menu del dia, so expect a hefty price tag even in the afternoon. To get there, take the Metro to Jaumel I station.

Els Quatre Gats – Also known as “4 Gats” (4 Cats), it is a modernistic restaurant and tavern located in a little side street called Montsio just off the main shopping walkway along Avinguda Portal d’Angel in Barri Gottic. This is especially known as a hangout of the young Picasso in the early 1900’s. Although it serves an interesting menu, you may find it a bit overpriced. To get there, take either the Metro Red or Green Line to Catalunya station.

Udon – Barcelona’s first noodle house has three branches scattered in the city, its main store located at the corner of Carrer Montcada and Princesa in Born district. You would appreciate its wide array of Japanese noodle and rice dishes as well as its feng-shui inspired interiors. To get to the main branch, ride a Line 4 Metro and exit to Jaume I.

Alkima – One of the few restaurants in Barcelona that possesses a Michellin star. Enjoy yourself with celebrated signature dishes like Rice with Nyores (a type of dried red pepper) and Crayfish, or steak tartare. Unlike other restaurants, they let their clients choose two starters and two main dishes for their degustation menu. Located along Carrer de Industria near Carrer de Sardenya.

Racó d’en Cesc – This modern family-run Catalan restaurant located in Eixample is where politicians and strategists hang out. The menu may be short, but very pleasurable. Try out their asparagus and cheese stuffed marrows or duck caneloni. Located along Carrer de Disputacio near Barcelona University.

La Estrella – The Born district’s prime mediterranean restaurant, this tiny resto is a gem on its own. They specialize in cod dishes, but you may also choose their fan-favorite reindeer carpaccio as well as trying out dishes that are not on the menu (just ask the maitre d’). They even make their own ice cream. They are located along Pla de Palau.

Where to Drink

A lot of good signature restaurants around Barcelona also serves quality wine, you can also try out these bars that are popular among both locals and tourists.

El Bosc de les Fades – Dubbed the “Tree Bar” by many English-speaking tourist, this wax-museum located off La Rambla features expert-crafted ambiance to look like a forest.

Catwalk – One of the most-visited nightclubs in Barcelona. Crowds begin to get busy at around 2:00 am. It has two floors, one playing R & B and Hip-Hop while the other plays House and Techno. Located near Passieg Maritim and several blocks from the Olympic Village.

Chupitos – This bar has several locations throughout the city, including one in Barceloneta. Chupitos is Spanish for “shots” and it is known for its themed shot drinks like “Harry Potter” and “Monica Lewinsky.”

Dusk – A sexy bar and bistro inside centuries-old walls of Ciutat Vella. Dusk offers an upbeat bar and a more relaxed lounge at the back.

Forfone – A smaller, less edgy club playing an eclectic mix of Black Soul, Funk, Dirty Electro, Hip-Hop, and Rare Grooves. Its multi-colored tiled walls flash to the beat of the music. Located at the Escudellers side of Plaça Reial near La Rambla.

Maumau – An old warehouse transformed into a laidback lounge club and cultural center. Aside from its club events, Maumau is also known for its visual arts and short film exhibits. To help you find the club, keep walking along Carrer D’en Fontrodona (near Paral-lel) after it zig-zags across Carrer Blesa.

La Paloma – A very popular night club that exists since 1903, so expect a crowd that has a very verying age range. They have band shows playing swing music in the evening, and club music that packs a lot of young people come late night. Accessible through Metro Lines 1 through 3 (although Line 3’s Sant Antoni station is the nearest).

RiBbOrN – Jazz, Funk, Soul, Reggae, and Bossa meld together in this classy bar in the heart of Ciutat Vella. Accessible through Metro’s Line 4, exiting through Jaume I station.

Shoko – Another frequented club in Barcelona like Catwalk. In fact both of them are located near the beachfront. Its interiors are inspired from feng-shui and it has a large restaurant as well as a very crowded club. Located along Maritim de la Barcelona.

Sidecar Factory Club – A singles bar that offers one of the best drinks and music in Ciutat Vella district. This underground club has live music as well as DJ sessions every night. Located near Plaça Reial through Carrer de Ferran.

Sweet Cafe – The trendiest bar of the Barcelona’s gay area, Gaixample. Its red decors and lighting, as well as its electropop music, is unmissable. The crowd is mostly gay, although everyone is welcome. They also hold monthly Bollywood parties every 2nd Sunday of the month. Located along Carrer Casanova.

Travel Bar – A staple hang-out for travelers around Barcelona. This bar hosts Europe’s largest barcrwal, as well as great Catalan courses. Located along Carrer Boqueria just off La Rambla.